Korean Enterprise: The Quest for Globalization (Management of Innovation and Change) - Hardcover

In the 1960s, Korea embarked on an ambitious program of economic development. By the 1980s, the pace of development had accelerated, and Korean companies were beginning to shed their reputation as second-rate, low-tech producers. In the 1990s, strategies of technological and managerial innovation were officially codified by President Kim as Segyehwa, loosely translated as "globalization, " but more generally understood by Koreans as a philosophy and mission to achieve global status in politics, business, education, communications, technology, and the arts. In this book, the authors trace the evolution of Korea's globalization movement and assess the prospects for Korean competitiveness in the future. Despite tremendous advances over the past three decades, Korean enterprises face considerable challenges if they intend to sustain a competitive edge in the global marketplace. The authors identify seven key challenges in the areas of industrial policy, technological innovation, management practice, organizational design, entrepreneurship, and human resource investment. The authors explore the relationships among national culture, management practice, and government policy.

This Book Presents a comprehensive look at Korea's business culture, its efforts to become a more pivotal player in the global economy, and the challenges that lie ahead for Korean businesses and their competitors. The dramatic of Korea's evolution - and its prospects for the future - as told in Korean Enterprise is significant for anyone concerned with issues of economic development and for Western managers facing new sources of competition, as well as for Korea's closest geographic competitors. The book is an original exploration of the relationships among national culture, management practice, and government policy and an insightful evaluation of Korean management and development practices.